Greatness of Kedareshvara Jyotirlingam

Suta said

Brahmanas, Nara and Narayana are called Hari's avataras. In the land of Bharata they practised austerity in the hermitage of Badari. Shiva is at the service of his devotees, so at their request Shambhu came there every day in the form of an earthen lingam to be worshipped, and the two avataras of Vishnu worshipped him like that for a long time. They were devotees, almost like Shiva's sons born of dharma. One day Parameshvara, pleased, said to them: "Ask me for a boon." Nara and Narayana, thinking of the good of the worlds, said: "Lord of the gods, if you are pleased and will give a boon, stay here in your own form so that Shankara can be worshipped." Hearing this, Maheshvara stayed in Kedara, in the Himalayas, in the form of a jyotirlinga, so that the fear and misery of all might be removed. He did it as a kindness to the worlds and to show himself to devotees. Shambhu is present there as Kedareshvara, and seeing or worshipping him always gives devotees what they desire. In ancient times gods and sages worshipped him there and received the fruits they wanted. The dwellers of the Badari hermitage worship Bhava constantly, and he gives them what they ask. From the day of that boon, a devotee who worships Kedareshvara cannot be miserable even in dreams.

When the Pandavas came, Shiva used his maya. He took the shape of a buffalo and began to run. The Pandavas caught him, and he stayed there with his face pointing down. They held the tail and prayed again and again. He remains there in that form, known as Bhaktavatsala, lover of devotees. A part of his head went to Nayapala and is established there, and he ordained that he be worshipped in that incomplete form too. Shambhu gave the Pandavas boons when they worshipped him. They left happy, with all they wanted, freed from every misery. Hara himself is always present in that sacred field as Kedara, and the people of Bharata worship him. Anyone who gives a bracelet there is dear to Hara, comes near Hara's form and attains it. Seeing that form frees a person from all sins. One who goes to the forest of Badari becomes a jivanmukta. Seeing Nara, Narayana and Kedareshvara Shambhu gives a share in liberation. Devotees who die on the road to Kedaresha are also freed; there is nothing to doubt in this. One who goes there, worships Kedaresha gladly and drinks the water there does not have to be reborn. Brahmanas, in this land of Bharata all beings who worship Nara, Narayana and Kedaresha with devotion are freed. He is lord of all, but especially of this region. Shambhu as Kedara grants whatever is wished. Best of rishis, I have told you what you asked. Hearing it dispels sin.